Butternut Squash Seeds.
The time to sow Butternut Squash seed is when both the air and the soil have noticeably warmed up and the risk of frosts is past. But it is possible to start squash seed indoors 4 to 6 weeks earlier.
The seed will only germinate in temperatures over 60F, & the shoot will take between 1 & 2 weeks to emerge.
If starting off indoors:
- plant 3 seeds in a plant pot (10cm in diameter), point bit facing up.
- Cover with some clingfilm and put on a frost-free window sill.
- Remove the weakest seedlings to leave the strongest 1 or 2 in the pot.
- They will be ready to plant out when they have 3 leaves.
- Don’t rush because squash like warm soil and will be killed by frost.
- Introduce them to outside conditions gradually, by putting the pots outside during the day for a bit, so they harden off.
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Hi Top Veg,
Thanks for the advice, this answers my question, that I asked on your question page. You answered it very promptly, so thanks for that. I think I will start my butternut squash seeds off near the aga and then transfer them to the greenhouse to harden them off before planting outside.
A happy veg gardener.
Comment by Patricia - March 30, 2007 7:59 pm
Hello again Patricia,
The aga will give the squash seeds the temperature they need to germinate. But as soon as the shoots emerge they will need to be in natural light. So move them to a warm, light spot before taking them to the greenhouse. Good luck
TopVeg
Comment by TopVeg - March 30, 2007 10:54 pm
Hi Top Veg,
Just thought I’d let you know that my butternut squash seeds have germinated very well. Should I move them to the greenhouse now as they are getting tall and I don’t want the stems to become too drawn?
Thanks for all your advice.
Comment by Patricia - April 6, 2007 1:23 pm
Hi Patricia
That is good news. Yes, the seedlings need plenty of light now,so the greenhouse would be good. It may be worth putting them outside during the day, if the greenhouse warms up with the sunny weather. But they must come in at night.
Thanks for keeping in touch. Let us know when you get your first squash!
TopVeg
Comment by TopVeg - April 6, 2007 2:26 pm
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Hi Top Veg,
My butternut squash plants are now well established. should I plant them in the veg garden and if so when?
Patricia
Comment by Patricia - May 25, 2007 7:51 am
Hi Patricia
So pleased to hear your butternut squash are growing well.
Planting out is a balancing act. They need to go out before they get too big, so that the roots are not disturbed. But they need to be kept warm and will suffer if you have cold nights - frost will be a disaster!
Can you plant them out and cover them over - with a very large jam jar, or an old window/piece of glass on some bricks?
Or make a little windbreak around them with twigs etc. The point is, protect them from cold.
Also, protect them from slugs. Make a slugproof barrier around the plants - ideally soot, but sharp gravel also does the trick. Put baiting traps out,too - beer pots, so the slugs fall into these instead of making for the squash.
Good luck
TopVeg
Comment by TopVeg - May 25, 2007 8:07 am
This is excellent advice Top Veg. Thanks
Patricia - a gardener now busy planting squash plants!
Comment by Patricia - May 26, 2007 12:19 pm
Hi Top Veg,
I am very new to all vegetable gardening. Only just moved to the country from London. I have a large area that I am hoping to turn into a raised bed veg area. I have saved the seeds from our onion squash and butternut squash. Can these be used for growing> If so what must I do to them? By the way I do have an aga so can start them there first - When should I start them? Would appreciate some help.
Joanna
Comment by Joanna - September 19, 2007 10:19 am
Hi Joanna
Good to hear from you - and best of luck with the new garden. Sounds very exciting.
The onion squash & butternut squash seeds can be used next year. They should be planted late April, early May.
Dry them gently and naturally in an airy spot, possibly in a sunny window. When they are dry, pop them in a brown envelope, label it and store it in a cool, dry place until next April! Then plant them as instructed in the post above. Enjoy your new garden!
TopVeg
Comment by TopVeg - September 19, 2007 8:05 pm
Top Veg
Thank you so much for your advice and prompt response; this website is so helpfull. I will store the dry seeds along with our fermenting apple and pear cider. I really do want to make good use of all the new and existing produce in my garden.
Thanks so much.
Comment by Joanna - September 20, 2007 5:21 pm
Joanna
Glad you like the site. Please remember to keep the seeds in a DRY, dark place. But hopefully the cider will be in bottles and not causing a damp atmosphere. Sounds wonderful- I am sure my cider would not be in store too long!
TopVeg
Comment by TopVeg - September 20, 2007 9:29 pm
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